‘The Flash’ Premiere Stands as Most-Watched CW Telecast Ever

In a blur, “The Flash” premiere has become the CW’s most-watched telecast ever.

“The Flash” had already looked very impressive in the same-night numbers, with its Oct. 7 premiere drawing the best ratings for a debut on the network in the five years since “The Vampire Diaries,” and drawing more young adults than any program that night on ABC (including “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD”) or Fox.

And Nielsen now estimates that an average audience of 6.8 million watched “The Flash” in Live+7 numbers (full week’s worth of DVR playback), adding 1.96 million viewers (about 40%) to its same-night total of 4.84 million.

It’s the largest audience ever for any telecast on CW since its launch in 2006, breaking the previous record held by a season finale of “America’s Next Top Model” in 2007 (6.69 million). “The Flash” also logged the highest-rated premiere ever for the network in men 18-34 (2.5 rating).

Across all platforms, including initiated streams on digital platforms and total unduplicated viewers on-air over two airings the week of Oct. 7, the premiere was seen more than 13 million times.

“The Flash,” starring Grant Gustin in the title role, earned some of the best reviews for any new show this fall. It held up well in its second episode too — retaining 88% of its premiere 18-49 rating (2.2 vs. 2.5) despite facing the World Series on Fox.

The show is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “Everwood”), Andrew Kreisberg (“Arrow,” “Eli Stone”), David Nutter (“Arrow,” “Game of Thrones”) and Sarah Schechter. This series is based upon characters published by DC Entertainment.